Free Picks – Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs

The Astros will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace righthander Roy Oswalt in this game. Oswalt has a 1-2 record and a 4.15 Earn Run Average this season.

Starting this game for Chicago will be Sean Marshall. The lefthander has a four.20 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Astros listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Cubs, while the game’s total is sitting at 9½.

Wandy Rodriguez whiffed 11 batters and the Astros held off the Rockies for a 5-3 victory in the series finale on Thursday, as -115 favorites. That game’s eight runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8).

Michael Bourn had four hits and scored twice, and Carlos Lee went deep for the Astros. Rodriguez improved his record to 4-2 with the win.

The Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Padres with an 11-3 rout on Thursday, as -160 home favorites. The game's 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9.5).

Bobby Scales had two hits and drove in four runs to lead the Chi Cubs. Ryan Dempster thew 7 innings for the win, giving up three hits and two runs.

Current streak: Houston has won 2 straight games. Chicago has won 4 straight games.

Team records: Houston: 16-18 SU Chicago: 20-14 SU

Houston most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After playing Colorado are 9-1 After a win are 6-4

Chicago most recently: When playing on Saturday are 6-4 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing San Diego are 8-2 After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider: Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Houston’s last 22 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston’s last 25 games when playing Chi Cubs Chi Cubs are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home Chi Cubs are 6-1 Straight Up in their last 7 games when playing Houston Chicago Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Chi Cubs’s last 22 games when playing at home against Houston